Critics Oppose Wyoming Hydroelectric Project, Pointing to Climate-Driven Drought Crisis
Lawmakers cited transparency gaps and wildlife risks as the committee voted to send a letter of concern to federal regulators and rPlus Hydro.
- On Thursday, Wyoming's Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee voted to send a letter of concern to federal regulators and rPlus Hydro after hours of testimony about the 972-megawatt Seminoe Pumped Storage Project.
- Utah-Based rPlus Hydro proposes an open-loop facility that would pump up to 13,400 acre-feet of water from Seminoe Reservoir into a newly constructed 10,800-acre-foot upper reservoir during surplus wind energy periods.
- Trout Unlimited's Patrick Harrington criticized the federal environmental review for relying on a limited five-year modeling window that didn't account for severe drought years, noting that 99.6% of 282 submitted comments opposed the project.
- Casper Mayor Ray Pacheco told lawmakers the company failed to meet with city staff, emphasizing that Casper relies on the North Platte River for drinking water, wastewater treatment and recreation-driven tourism.
- The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will issue its final environmental impact statement in June, with the federal Bureau of Land Management potentially requesting amendments if natural resource protections prove inadequate, and the project still faces reviews by Wyoming Game and Fish.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Associated Press News
Critics oppose Wyoming hydroelectric project, pointing to climate-driven drought crisis
A proposed pumped-water electricity storage facility at Seminoe Reservoir could decimate the prized Miracle Mile trout fishery on the North Platte River and jeopardize a bighorn sheep herd that wildlife officials rely on to support the species’ populations in other areas, critics of the $4 billion p
Oil City News
Cap City NewsWyoming lawmakers hear, raise concerns over $3B Seminoe Reservoir energy project
CASPER, Wyo. — State lawmakers raised concerns about a proposed $3 billion energy project at Seminoe Reservoir on Thursday, pointing to a lack of transparency from the developer and potential harm to the North Platte River ecosystem. Utah-based developer rPlus Hydro is proposing the 972-megawatt Seminoe Pumped Storage Project that would operate like a massive, water-powered battery. The open-loop facility would pump up to 13,400 acre-feet of wat…
Critics Say Seminoe Project Threatens Miracle Mile Trout Fishery, Casper's Water
Critics told legislators Thursday that a proposed 972-megawatt power project at Seminoe Reservoir in Carbon County could threaten Wyoming’s legendary Miracle Mile trout fishery. It also could impact Casper’s water supply, they said.
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